Fanfiction: The Ending That Should Have Been (NSFW)

Part Three

The train lurched, making Abraham stumble. He cursed his arthritic knees as he caught himself, leaning against the wood paneled wall for support. Traveling by train was, certainly, more comfortable than traveling by horse but, at his advanced age, it was still a bit of a trial.

If he was honest with himself, Abraham was starting to think that his adventuring days were behind him. When he had answered Jack Seward’s summons all those weeks ago, he had not anticipated the cross continental trek at break neck speed that it would become. He could not deny, though, that it was exciting, to say the least. Being in pursuit of an ancient evil did get one’s pulse racing!

Abraham’s old body was not happy about the punishment he was putting it through – and it was telling him so with various aches and pains that plagued him both day and night. His body ached but his mind… his mind, which had started to feel as dusty as the old books he was surrounded by at that old university, had been blown wide open by the discoveries he’d made since taking up young Seward’s cause. The cobwebs were gone from his mind, their places filled with shining rays of possibility.

He was already planning the book he would write when this was all over – assuming he lived through it. In no time at all, Abraham Van Helsing would be the first and foremost expert in the world on all matters occult. He would make a fortune from the talks he would give on ‘The Hunt for Dracula’ (as he was planning to call it.) Then, he would retire somewhere warm and dry to enjoy the rest of his days in comfort.

There was another option, of course… one that lurked in the back of his mind and taunted him in the dark of night.

He did not have to die.

Ever.

Instead of hunting this Count Dracula, could he not perhaps strike a deal with him? Was there nothing the beast wanted that Abraham could provide? If only he had the right bargaining tool…

He shook the thought off. It was tempting… of course it was! Who wouldn’t be tempted by the thought of living forever? But Abraham was a doctor, for God’s sake! He had taken vows, sworn to put others first, to heal…

It was only at times like these, with the arthritis in his knees screaming at him, that his willpower slipped and he found himself entertaining the thought of pursuing the Count for reasons other than destruction.

Sighing wearily, Abraham pushed himself away from the wall. He continued his journey through the narrow corridor until he reached the Harkers’ room. Jonathan answered his knock. He greeted the doctor and stepped into the hallway – but not before Abraham heard the sounds of someone being violently ill in the background.

‘Curious,’ he thought, returning Jonathan’s greeting.

“Is Madam Mina unwell?” he asked, trying to appear only concerned when, in fact, he was burning with curiosity.

Jonathan nodded, looking nervous. It was not saying much – the poor man always looked nervous. Being held captive by a trio of bloodthirsty women was, apparently, not beneficial to one’s nervous system.

“Mina has been often unwell during our journey east,” Jonathan confirmed. He frowned. “I do not think travel by rail agrees with her.”

Abraham, looking up from his pocket watch, nodded but said nothing. He had other ideas about what ailed Mrs. Harker but did not express them, least he upset the man’s already frail nerves.

Though Mrs. Harker still swore that she had spent the entire evening in Mr. Seward’s bedroom alone, Abraham did not believe her. There was something altogether too erratic of her behavior of late. It put him on his guard.

The others put Mina’s behavior down to the death of her dearest friend, or her anxiety over Jonathan, or her fear of the monster they faced, even the journey itself but they – aside from Seward – had not made a living out of studying people, as Abraham had. Frankly, he was ashamed of the man he had once hoped would be his protege.

Jack Seward had once been a brilliant pupil. Abraham had expected great things from him. He had not expected Jack to become a waster, a common opium addict. Oh, yes, Abraham knew of Seward’s addiction to the mind altering narcotic. Frankly, he was surprised that the others could not see it. As long as it did not affect Jack’s ability to be a useful member of their party, Abraham would keep his secret. He would not, however, allow Jack to put their lives in danger. The moment the drugs started to affect his judgment, Abraham would call him out.

“Professor?”

Harker’s voice brought Abraham back to the present.

“Sorry,” he said, giving his head a shake. “I was miles away. What were you saying?”

“I was wondering if there is anything that might be done to cure Mina’s motion sickness?”

“Ah.” Abraham had to bite his tongue on the response that sprang to mind. “Perhaps. I will see to her later,” he promised.

They continued walking. Abraham led the younger man past the dining car; he had questions to ask and did not want an audience. When they got to a mostly empty carriage, Abraham motioned for Jonathan to have a seat and eased his aching bones into the seat across from him.

He was silent a moment while he gathered his thoughts. How to broach a delicate subject?

“How have you been?” he said finally.

Jonathan shifted nervously in his seat. “I am well, thank you,” he said without looking at the doctor.

Abraham knew it was a lie. Half the train could hear Harker screaming in his sleep at night. “It is only natural,” he said, “after an attack like the one you experienced, to suffer both physical and psychological symptoms for months – even years – afterward.”

Jonathan nodded, still refusing to meet the doctor’s curious gaze. “Of course, of course…”

“Would you mind if, as your doctor, I asked you one or two sensitive questions?”

“Yes, of course,” Jonathan replied without hesitation. His tone was neutral.

Over the last few months, he had already been subjected to a battery of unusual questions about his time spent in Dracula’s castle. Hopefully, Abraham thought, one or two about his life afterward wouldn’t raise his suspicions. He began by asking general questions about his health: Was he sleeping well? Was he eating well? Was he feeling anxious? Was his strength returning?

“Are you able to… ah… perform? In the bedroom.”

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Jonathan turned to face the window. He did not immediately answer the doctor’s question.

“Are you asking if I am able to obtain an erection?” he said finally, sounding merely sad, rather than affronted.

Abraham cleared his throat. “Yes, I am.”

Finally, Jonathan met his eyes. “I have,” he said. “Once or twice.”

Abraham nodded in a way that he hoped was sympathetic. “I see.”

“You must understand…” Harker started. Suddenly animated, he grabbed the doctor’s hand. “What those women did to me – the acts they forced me to perform…” His eyes were wild. They darted back and forth, watching, as if the three seductresses would appear any moment.

“Easy, easy,” Abraham said. “You are safe here, Jonathan.”

It took several long moments for Harker’s breathing to become less labored. His eyelids dropped. He took a shaky breath and pulled his hand away.

“My apologies, Professor,” he said, lowering his eyes to his lap where his hands gripped each other tightly. “It has not been easy to forget,” he said.

“Some things can never be forgotten,” Abraham said kindly. He allowed a few minutes to pass in silence before he pressed the issue.

“Perhaps,” he said finally, “I can help you to cope with these terrible memories. I have had some success with hypnotism…”

Jonathan listened attentively as Abraham described some of the experiments he had conducted in that ancient art. When the older man had finished, Harker nodded and said, “Whatever you think is best.”

Abraham fought the urge to shake his head. It was too easy; Jonathan Harker had very little – if any – will of his own.

“It might also be an effective way of dealing with Madame Mina’s motion sickness,” he suggested in what he hoped was a casual manner.

“Yes, yes,” Harker said. “Of course. Anything for Mina.”

It really was too easy.

Mina, on the other hand, was not as willing to be hypnotized as Jonathan had been. When the two men returned to the Harkers’ room and explained their intentions, she refused. Vehemently.

“I’ll not have anyone poking around inside my head!” she exclaimed. She did not say, “Least of all you,” but she did not need to.

Abraham was well aware of Mina’s dislike for him, even if the others were not. He did not know the reason for her dislike but suspected it had something to do with Lucy’s death. She, like Lucy’s three suitors, had expected him to perform some sort of miracle by saving the poor girl.

He did not like to tell them that only those who wanted to be saved could.

Now, however, he was starting to suspect that Mina’s dislike ran deeper than that. If his suspicions were correct, she had very good reasons indeed to be wary of him.

“Please, Mina,” Jonathan was saying. He tried to take his wife’s hands in his own but she recoiled, moving to the back of the cabin, away from both men. She stared out the window at the frozen landscape flitting past.

Abraham exchanged a look with Jonathan. Mina’s reaction was irrational and they both knew it. He made a small gesture with his head toward the door. Harker seemed to catch on for he said, “I believe Arthur wanted to discuss our travel arrangements. If you’ll both excuse me.”

Without waiting for a response, he quietly let himself out of the compartment. Mina, who had come forward when her husband’s intentions became clear, retreated once more to the rear of the cabin, putting plenty of space between herself and the doctor. Her eyes darted nervously to Abraham, who stood between her and the room’s only exit.

“You have no reason to fear me,” he told her.

‘Unless you’re in league with our enemy,’ he added silently.

Abraham moved forward slowly, like a hunter stalking his prey. There was nowhere else for Mina to go so she stood her ground, head held high, eyes narrowed as she stared at him.

“It is only a simple exercise,” he told her. “Not dangerous in the slightest. I’m sure it will be beneficial…”

Mina seemed on the verge of arguing but then a strange, far away look crossed her face. It cleared after a moment and she gave Abraham a sweet smile. The change in her demeanor was so abrupt that he had to suppress a shiver. It was unnerving.

“Of course,” she said, complacently, moving to take a seat. “If you think it will help.”

Though the sudden shift in Mina’s mood put the professor on his guard, he pulled a seat up to the couch where she sat.

“It really is quite simple,” he assured her as he removed his pocket watch. “I will simply hold this chain, like this, before you. All you need to do is watch the chain and listen to the sound of my voice.”

He let the watch dangle at the end of its chain, swaying in time to the movement of the train. Mina’s eyes obediently followed the motion.

“Hear me,” Abraham told her in a cool, even tone. “Hear only me, only my words…”

Her eyes still followed the watch, her pupils growing dilated.

“You can feel yourself growing sleepy…”

Her eyelids started to droop.

“Let yourself go,” he told her in that same, calming voice. “You want to sleep. Sleep now.”

Her eyes closed.

Abraham waited a moment before waving a hand in front of her face. Nothing. He lifted her hand and let go. It fell limply to her side.

Grinning to himself, Abraham surveyed his handiwork. Mina Harker was, for the time being, completely at his mercy. He had to tear his gaze away from the steady rise and fall of her chest. Oh! If he were a younger man, he might be tempted to take advantage of the situation. Hell, he was tempted now – though partly just to teach her a lesson. To make up for every look of disgust, every time she recoiled from his touch…

He caught himself, hand outstretched, fingers inches from Mina’s bare flesh. Jerking back, Abraham gave himself a hard shake.

‘You’re a doctor, man!’ He reprimanded himself sharply, ashamed by his own actions.

It took longer than he would have liked before he had pulled himself together enough to say, “Can you hear me, Mina?”

“Yes,” she answered, barely moving her lips.

“Good. I’m going to ask you a few questions and I want you to answer honestly, can you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now… Tell me… Have you, at any time, been alone with the creature known as Dracula?”

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